Electric-current-outlet member



April 15; 1930. E

ELECTRIC CURRENT OUTLET MEMBER Filed NOV. 15, 1928 gwwmtoc T. c. POWELL 1,754,646,

Patented Apr. 15, 1930 PATENT OFFICE THOMAS CARR POWELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ELECTRIG-CURRENT-OUTLE'I MEMBER Application filed November 15, 1928. Serial No. 319,594.

The object of my said invention is the provision of an outlet member so characterized that its prong sockets can be readily found for the proper insertion therein of the prongs of a complementary member. 1

1 To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists in the improvement as hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective showing one embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective of'the outlet screw plug comprised in said embodiment.

. Figures 3 and 4 are erspectives of modified outlet screw plugs, igure 3 being partly.

in section.

Similar numerals designate corresponding 50 parts in Figures 1 and 2- to which reference will first be made.

I show in Fi re 1 a mop board 1 with an escutcheon 2 a ed thereto and apertured to receive in flush relation the outer end of an electric-current outlet plug 3.

The plug 3 is provi ed with conventional prong sockets 4, but is peculiar in that it has a epression-in the form of a groove 5 across its exposedend and in connnunication with the an outer ends of said sockets. Thusthe plug can be detected and located with the finger even when the plug is not seen by an operator, and this will be appreciated as a material advantage by those who have experienced exas as peration 1n endeavoring to connect a two pron plu or member to an outlet plug or mem r w en the latter is overhead or is in a dark place near the floor.

My invention also contemplates makmg the depression 5 in marked contrast to the remamder of the exposed end of plug 3. For in stance when said end is dark the depression 5 is made light by the application of light-colored paint or other material thereto, and when as deemed expedient for some uses or locations the material alluded to is luminous. Irrespecf tive of whether'it is luminous or not the depresslon 5 in contrast to the end of the plug or member is readily discernible, so that the plug or member may be readily located by both feel and sight when it is located in a dark or obscure portion of a room.

Within the purview of my invention the depression 5 may be in the form of a groove or any other shape. t 5

In the modified plug or member 3, Figure 3, the plug or member 3* has inserts 6 of a contrasting color to the end of the plug and arranged in line with the sockets 4, so that the said sockets may be readily discerned in a m poorly. lighted room and the placing of the prong-bearing member (not shown) may be facilitated without the making of an improper connection and a resulting short circult. M The modification shown in Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 3 except that portionsfi of applied paint are employed in lieu of the inserts. v

Manifestly when desired the inserts 6 and 7 the painted portions 6 maybe luminous in character. I

In all of the embodiments of myinvention, the portions contrasting in color to the remainder of the outlet-member are in 3. dia- 7 metrical line with the prong sockets of the member and at opposite sides of said sockets; also, the exposed end of the outlet member is free from projections, the said portions contrasting in color to the remainder of the member being within the plane of the exposed end ofthe member. In this way the end desired is attained without appreciably increasing the cost of production of the outlet member.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing my improvement confers on the outlet member or plug the advantage mdicated without materially increasing the cost of production of said outlet member or plug.

'Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patout is: e An electric-current outlet member having p a pair of pron sockets in its exposed end and 5 also having af'acent to and at opposite sides of said pair o sockets portions 'contrastin in color to the-remainder of the member; sai' portions being in a diametrical line with the sockets and within the plane of the exposed 10 end of the member. t

In testimon whereof Iaflix my si ature.

T OMAS CARR PO LL. 

